Electromagnetic device



June 26,1528. 1,675,148

D. G. ACKERLY Y ELEc'TRdMAGNETIc DEVICE Filed Oct. 18, 1926 INVENTOR IPatented June 26, 1928.

UNITED, STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DONALD G. ACKERLY, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE UNIONSWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 01PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTROMAGNETIC DEVICE.

' Application filed October 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,221.

I My invention relates to electromagnetic devices, andparticularly todeviceshavmga plurality of windings and a movable mem-- ber capable ofassuming a plurality of different positions dependim upon which of thewindings is supplied with embodying my invention are particularly welladapted for use as electrical relays,'although they are not limited tothis particular adaptation.

I will describe two forms of devicesembodying my invention, and willthen point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Flg. 1 is a view showing in front elevationone fornrot electromagnetic device embodying my invention. Fig.2 isasectional view on the line II-II of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing infront elevation at modified form of electromagnetic device embodying myinvention, Fig. 4 is a sectional view onthe line IVI V of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters refer to slm ]ar parts in each of theseveral views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, the de- Vice comprises a plate F ofmagnetizable material providedwith four outstandin field members A A Aand A, which fiel members are parallel and are radially disposed arounda center line 7 which is perpendicular to the plane of the plate F. Eachfield member. is provided at its outer end with a pole 2 facing inwardlytoward the center line 7. Each field member A is provided with a winding3 which may be supplied at times with current from a source not shown inthe drawing. The reference character B designates an arina'ture mountedon pivots (not shown) to oscillate on an axis coincident with the centerline 7 and having an arcuate member 5 which coacts with the pole pieces2. As here shown, this member 5 is in the form of two horns, each ofwhich is tapered from the point at which the horns join, to the free endof the horn, although this specific shape is not essent-ial to myinvention. The armature B is biased to the position in which it is shownin Fig. 1, in which positionthe air gap between the member 5 and eachpole piece 2 is greater than the minimum and the parts are so arrangedthat as the armature B swings in either direct-ion from this position,the air gap between the member 5 and the pole current. Devices pieces Aand A or the pole pieces A and A will diminish. This may be accomplishedby having the periphery of arcuate member 5 circular and displacing thecenter of curva ture of such periphery from the axis of rotation of thearmature, or it may be accomplished by making the periphery of member 5an ellipse whose major axis extends though point 10 on the member. Ineither case the distance from axls 7 to any pole face 2 is constant, andis determined'by the distance from the axis to point 10 plus the minimumair gap obtained when one of the windings 3 is energized.

It will be seen from the foregoing that with the armature B in theposition shown in Fig. 1, if the winding on polemember A becomesenergized, the armature will swing in counterclockwise direction untilthe point 10 on the armature registers with the pole piece 2 on memberA. Similarly, if the winding on member A becomes energized, the'armatureB will swing in counterclockwise direction until point 10 registers withpole piece 2 on member A Energization of the winding'on field member Aor A will similarly swing armature B in clockwise direction until point10 registers with the pole pieceon one or the other of these members.

The armature B may be utilized to control electrical contacts or otherelements in any desired manner. For exa1nple,-it may be utilized toclose any one of tour contacts according as the armature is acted uponby the winding on any one of the four field members, in which event thedevice will consti tute a five-position'relay. Bei'erring now to Figs. 3and 4, the de vice in the form here showncomprises four parallel fieldmembers C, C C and C radially disposed-around the center line 7 and eachhaving at each end a pole piece D D D or D, which projects inwardlytoward the center line 7. Theinner surface of each pole piece D isprovided with a slot 9. Each field member C is provided with a winding3. The armature, which is here designated B is mounted to oscillate onan axis coincident with the center line 7, and comprises an axial member4 and two arcuate members 5 and 5 The member 5 passes through the slots9 in the pole pieces on one end of the field member C, while the arcuatemember 5" passes through the slots 9 in the pole pieces

